Method of repairing damaged toe-boxes.



T. 0. DE GARMELO. METHOD OF REPAIRING DAMAGED TOE BOXES. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 8, 1914.

Patented July 14, 1914,

mates; 1.

FATE 1 oFFioE.

TONY CASTIGLIONE DE OARMELO', OF PAINESVILLE, OHIO.

METHOD OF REPAIRING DAMAGED TOE-BOXES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J uly/14, 1914:.

. in Boots and Shoes, of which the following is a Specification.

My invention relates to the method of re p I ventlon, similar characters are used to desigpairing boots and shoes, and particularly to a supporting member to be inserted in the forward or toe end of a boot or shoe, known in footwear parlance as a toe-box, the purpose of which is to-give freedom to the toes, and more particularly to give a neat and sightly appearance to the footwear.

Being thoroughly familiar with the art of boot and shoe manufacture and repairing, I am aware that toe-boxes have been in common use for many years, but as far as my knowledge extends they have heretofore been embodied in the boot or shoe and made substantially an integral part of the same during its fabrication. In many instances inferior material is used for the box member, that is soaked or coated with some stiffening preparation which causes it to temporarily hold up and present a satisfactory appearance, but when the shoe is worn down. It also often occurs in high priced footwear where a substantial box of high grade material is used, that the box is broken down by accident. In any case where the toe-box becomes broken down or otherwise damaged, it is necessary, in order to repair the same, to rip the forward portion of the sole loose from the upper, remove the damaged box and replace it with a new one. This is an expensive and altogether unsatisfactory operation.

The object of this invention is to provide an economical. method of repair, and as a new article of manufacture a toe-box of durable, stiff material and of rigid construction, that can be sold to the trade as a separate article, and that can bev readily inserted in the toe of a boot or shoe, made fast therein, and restore the damaged box to its original shape. By the use of the improved Application filed January '8, 1914. SeriaI No. 810,934.

toe-box, and the improved method, there is a great saving of time and skill and a consequent economy in the repairing of the footwear.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is an elevation of the improved toe-box, which is an accessory to the improved method. Fig. 2 is a plan View and Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3, Fig. 2.

To facilitate the understanding of the innate similar specification.

The new article of manufacture used as an accessory in the improved method, may be called an auxiliary toe-box. -The auxiliary toe-box may be made in a variety of different shapes, to conform to the different styles of boot or shoe toes. I prefer to make the article of two pieces, a tread member 1,.and a cap member 2. The preferable material used is a high grade of stiff sole leather. The cap member 2 is crimped to the desired shape and is preferably sewed to the tread member 1. The exposed edges 1 and 2 are skived thin, to adapt them to fit closely to the interior contour of the shoe.

In the practical application of the invention, the forward portion of the upper of the shoe is made pliable by the method commonly used by those familiar with the art. The auxiliary toe-box is coated with any suitable adhesive, such as glue, and is inserted in the shoe. A last of the desired shape to fit tightly in the toe-box, is driven firmly into the forward part of the shoe and is allowed to remain therein a sufficient length of time to permit the adhesive to set and the shoe to dry, this restores and retains the damaged box in its original shape.

While I have described a preferable construction of, and the material used in the article that is an accessory to the improved method, I wish it understood that it may be made in one piece, and stamped into the desired form from thin steel or other suitable material. The article may also be molded from some suitable compound that isnonpliable when set, and still not depart from the nature of the invention.

Having now described my invention, what parts in the drawings and I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- The method of repairing broken down toeboxes in boots or shoes, consisting of first providing an auxiliary toe-box which is made independent of the integral toe-box, secondly coating the auxiliary toe-box with suitable adhesive, thirdly inserting said auxiliary toe-box in the toe of the boot or shoe, and finally driving a last into the toe-box l0 and allowing the article to dry before removing the last.

' TONY CASTIGLIONE DE OARMELO.

Witnesses:

JOY S. HUno, L. F. Gmswow. 

